Chhangur Baba, associates got funds worth Rs 60 crore including from abroad: ED
religious conversion racket
in Uttar Pradesh, had received funds worth Rs 60 crore in 22 bank accounts, including "large amounts" from abroad.
The federal probe agency said this in a statement after it concluded searches at more than a dozen locations in Chhangur Baba's native Balrampur district and two places in Mumbai. The raids were launched on Thursday.
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The money-laundering case against Chhangur Baba alias Jalaluddin alias Karimulla Shah stems from a recent Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) FIR filed at a police station in Lucknow's Gomti Nagar under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021.
Chhangur Baba, his son Mehboob and alleged associates Naveen Rohra alias Jamaluddin and Neetu alias Nasreen were arrested by the ATS. They are currently lodged in jail.
The ATS complaint alleges a "large-scale" conspiracy involving unlawful religious conversions, utilisation of foreign funds and activities posing a potential threat to national security.
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"Chhangur Baba and his associates are alleged to have established an extensive network operating from the premises of the Chand Auliya Dargah in Balrampur, where he regularly organised large gatherings attended by both Indian and foreign nationals.
"He is accused of systematically inducing, coercing and manipulating individuals of other faiths, particularly Scheduled Castes and economically disadvantaged persons belonging to Hindu religion, into religious conversion," the ED said.
The agency said it has analysed 22 bank accounts related to Chhangur Baba and his associates and it was found that funds worth more than Rs 60 crore were received by him and his associates.
"It was also found that a large amount of funds has been received from foreign countries by Chhangur Baba and his associates," it said.
The searches also led to the seizure of a number of documents that show that "proceeds of crime" (illicit funds) were majorly transferred to different people for purchasing a number of immovable properties worth crores of rupees and carrying out construction activities in these properties.
All the immovable assets acquired by Chhangur Baba are in the names of his associates, Naveen Rohra and Neetu Rohra, to conceal his actual involvement in money laundering, the ED said.
Following the arrest of Chhangur Baba, alleged illegal constructions linked to him in Balrampur were razed by the district administration. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had described the actions of the accused as not only anti-social but also "anti-national".
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